Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has opened up on his side’s uninspiring performance in his first competitive game in charge of the Blues in a 3-0 loss to Arsenal on Sunday.
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Mikel Arteta’s side were better in every department from start to finish as the reigning Premier League champions - who finally dethroned Manchester City and Pep Guardiola in May - sent a huge statement of intent to new Sky Blues boss Enzo Maresca in the FA Community Shield on Sunday afternoon..
make his full debut in South Wales, looked shell-shocked and never seemed to recover from the early blow.
Ahead of Sunday’s Premier League opener against Marco Rose's Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester City have a lot of work to do on the training ground - and perhaps in the transfer market - as Maresca embeds his methods into a group of players embarking on their first season under a different manager.
Just the beginning, reset and analyse, says Maresca
Assessing his side’s hugely underwhelming display against title rivals Arsenal during his post-match press conference from the Millennium Stadium, Enzo Maresca attributed the result in part to the manner in which Manchester City fell behind.
"I think a big part of the game is in the first goal we conceded unfortunately after 30 seconds,” the Italian said. “The reaction was good. Before they scored the second goal, we had three, four chances to score and to draw the game.
“Unfortunately we missed the chance, and then with the second goal, it became more difficult. In general I'm always concerned, even when we win.
“This is just the beginning and we have many things we need to do better, but I think it was a good reaction after the first we conceded. Now try to reset, analyse, and think from Tuesday about the next game [against Bournemouth].”
Maresca poses important Man City pressing question
Enzo Maresca went on to suggest he was not certain why Manchester City did not press to his liking against a rampant Arsenal side, who have bolstered their own midfield with the £75 million acquisition of Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United this summer.
The Manchester City manager added, "The two first goals we conceded I didn't like; the first because it's after 25 seconds, and the second I think there was no pressure on the ball - I don't know if it's due to physical condition.
“For sure, the first two goals we conceded, I don't like. And then, in terms of things I liked, after the first goal the reaction was very good. At this level, the way we reacted was so good. But again, after the second goal it was all complicated.”
With Manchester City about to see Ballon d’Or winner and recently-crowned FIFA World Cup champion Rodri join FC Barcelona following an agreement between the clubs, the Blues will look for reinforcements in the middle of the park between now and the transfer deadline.
Whilst it remains to be seen just how much business the club will do in the final fortnight of the summer transfer window, the current expectation within football is for Lille and Morocco international teenager Ayyoub Bouaddi to make the switch to the Etihad Stadium in a deal worth around £85 million.
Manchester City are also holding interest in Chelsea and Argentine's Enzo Fernandez, although it remains to be seen whether they stump up an offer that comes close to Stamford Bridge officials' £120 million valuation.